Director General Health Services Punjab Dr. Mukhtar Hussain Syed said Thursday here that all out efforts are being made to reduce child mortality due to pneumonia. Speaking at the World Pneumonia Day briefing at the Committee Room of the Directorate General Health Services, he highlighted some of the steps taken by the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department to protect, prevent and treat pneumonia in the province.
The World Pneumonia Day is commemorated on November 12 around the globe to raise awareness about the toll of pneumonia. Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs and remains the leading killer of children around the world.
Also present in the briefing were Director Expanded Program on Immunization Dr. Munir Ahmed, Health Specialist UNICEF Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Rana, Pakistan Paediatrics Association representative and experts from WHO and EPI Program.
In Pakistan, pneumonia remains one of major killers. Whereas globally Pneumonia accounts for 15% of all deaths of children under 5 years age, in Pakistan it is estimated that 29% of children died due to this disease.
Pneumonia can be prevented by immunization, adequate nutrition, and by addressing environmental factors. He said a child survival group of technical experts in the Directorate General Health Services was formed to chalk out workable strategy. “In Punjab a new initiative to provide medical commodities for children suffering with Pneumonia and Diarrhoea has been initiated in the year 2016. The plan is being pilot tested in 5 districts with support from UNICEF- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,” he added. The Punjab Expanded Program on Immunization has introduced pneumonia vaccine as part of routine immunization in 2012. The latest coverage survey reports suggest immunization coverage above 86%. Director EPI Dr. Munir Ahmed said “Punjab was able to increase routine immunization progress from 64 % (Penta-III) to 86 % as per Neilsen Survey”. By effective use of technology, the vaccinator attendance has improved from mid 50s to 97 % as of last month. UNICEF Health Specialist Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Rana said that the recommendations of the Global Action Plan are being implemented through a project initially piloted in five districts. As part of the plan, necessary guidelines and training material is being updated. In order to facilitate the provision of anti-biotics, dispersible tablets are being introduced in place of syrup. Also, the WHO and UNICEF have developed an integrated Global Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhea (GAPPD) that aims to accelerate pneumonia control with a combination of interventions to protect, prevent, and treat pneumonia in children. The GAPPD was signed by Pakistan in 2013.